Wireless Repeater Security Settings

June 21, 2017 5:41 PM

I'm trying to set up a repeater using an old Linksys router and dd-wrt and I'm *so* close but don't know what settings to use for Wireless Security.

1. My neighbor's given me his wifi password
2. I need a stronger signal in my living room
3. I've set up a Linksys router (E900) with dd-wrt firmware and followed these instructions
4. When it comes to the Wireless Security section, I don't know how to configure the settings:
a. The options for Security Mode are: WPA, WPA2 Personal, WPA2 Personal Mixed
b. The options for WPA Algorithms are TKIP, AES, TKIP+AES
c. When I look at my neighbor's signal security settings on my Android tablet, it says, "WPA/WPA2 PSK"
5. I'm guessing that one combination of the Security Mode & WPA Algorithms will work?
6. Currently what I'm seeing - using a wifi analyser app - is a 2nd, stronger signal (like 2x) which grows quickly, disappears, and then returns 30s later. My tablet seems to roll with this, but my Win 10 laptop initially shows a strong signal, then switches to "limited connectivity" and never gets the signal back
7. I understand I may be barking up the wrong tree and the problem could be something entirely different.

posted by 7 Minutes of Madness to Computers & Internet (4 answers total)

Best answer: WPA2 Personal is what you want for Security Mode. That's the one everyone uses. Algorithm is typically AES (TKIP is the older one).

To make sure though, in Windows:

- connect to the network
- find "Network and Sharing Center" in Control Panel (this is still present in win10)
- click the wifi connection name to get the "Wifi Status" window
- click "Wireless Properties"
- click the "Security" tab

This screen will tell you both the security mode and algorithm.
posted by neckro23 at 5:52 PM on June 21, 2017

Response by poster: Thanks neckro23 - you're absolutely right! Unfortunately though, with those settings, I get the problem I described above: initially a strong signal but unable to connect and then limited connectivity. I guess I was barking up the wrong tree, but it's great to get this part squared away.
posted by 7 Minutes of Madness at 6:05 PM on June 21, 2017

The most reliable (not necessarily the fastest or most secure) way to do this with DD-WRT is with WDS. To work well this requires routers with the same or compatible chipsets on each side of the WDS bridge. You can do some experimentation with WDS mode but if you do not have admin access to the internet facing AP then it will be tough to get working properly.

Client/Client bridge is going to be your next most reliable method of connecting. But this will require a 2nd AP wired to your DD-WRT AP to provide wireless (different channel & SSID) on your side of the bridge. This is the best method when you do not have control over the internet side AP. this will also provide the fastest speeds. It also gives you some flexibility to place your bridge AP in the best place to connect to the remote AP and place your 2nd AP in a location that is best for your client devices (limited by your ability to run a wire between the two). I would recommend you run the DD-WRT AP in client mode so that you provide yourself with some amount of isolation from your neighbors network.

Remote AP~~~Wireless~~~DD-WRT AP Client Mode---Wired Connection---2nd AP ~~~Wireless~~~Connected to your wireless clients
posted by jmsta at 9:19 AM on June 22, 2017

Response by poster: Update: I was finally able to get this to work. Turns out the problem was in the Virtual Interfaces section: the instructions say "Wireless Network Name(SSID) : Same as Primary SSID. If you have problems, try a different one." and I had mine set to the same as the Primary SSID - the solution was changing it to a unique name.
posted by 7 Minutes of Madness at 1:44 PM on June 24, 2017